prefiguration

noun

pre·​fig·​u·​ra·​tion (ˌ)prē-ˌfi-gyə-ˈrā-shən 

-gə-

1

: the act of prefiguring : the state of being prefigured

2

: something that prefigures

prefigurative

ˌprē-ˈfi-gyə-rə-tiv 

-gə-

adjective

Examples of prefiguration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And the anti-authoritarian activists in the New Left movements trained themselves to create new spaces for prefiguration through a now familiar set of tactics. — Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 20 Sep. 2023

Since the early 20th century, Cycladic figures have had iconic power for contemporary artists, as an ancient prefiguration of abstraction. — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022

The pharaoh’s monotheism is presented as a prefiguration of the Abrahamic relationship between God and man. — Mary Spencer, National Review, 14 Dec. 2019

In other words, the bronze serpent is a prefiguration of Christ’s Crucifixion and the world’s salvation. — Jason Farago, New York Times, 26 July 2017

This chilling prefiguration of Hitler’s Final Solution is unmistakable, and Heidegger never explained, let alone apologized for, such horrendous statements. — Gregory Fried, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2014

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prefiguration

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration